Happy Birthday, sweet Luke.

April 29, 2008

1 year old.

My baby is 1 year old today.

I know people always say they can't believe how fast time goes, but I REALLY can't believe it. It's been a year?! Luke, you have been such a joy in our lives over the last year. You are so easy going, funny, and my goodness...you are oh so sweet.

On Sunday, we celebrated with a monkey party for our little monkey :) Thanks to all the family and friends who helped us celebrate this precious little life. Here are some pics below...

Here is a video of our little toddler on his actual birthday.

Luke didn't really dig into his cake too much at his party. Honestly, I don't really think I gave him enough time with it to have the chance. So we brought it out again tonight for his actual birthday, and he really got into this time :)

Hope you had a great 1st birthday, Lukey! We love you!

A door just my size...

Happy Birthday Pup!

Today is our oldest child's birthday. Gus, our sweet dog, is 7 years old today. Brad and I got little Gus right after we got engaged in 2002. I still remember the day we went to get him. He was the smallest in his litter and a little sickly :) I think that is why we picked him...we felt bad for him and he was just so darn cute! Gus has definitely been an interesting dog, which anyone in our family can attest to. He is all beagle for sure...from his howl, to his love for trash of any kind, to his uncanny ability to catch a scent, escape, and be gone for good....we love him still :) While his place in the family has undoubtedly changed since the boys have been born, his place in our hearts hasn't budged one bit.

We love you Gus...and hope you're around for many more years to come!

Happy 7th Birthday, Pup!

Happy Birthday Teddy!

Happy Birthday Teddy! Today is my mom's ?? Birthday (I wouldn't do that to you, Mom :)). Yesterday we went up to Lilburn to celebrate with everyone. We had a great time enjoying the beautiful weather and playing with all the outside toys. Jackson and Allie found (and tortured) numerous caterpillars, jumped on the jumpy thing, rode cars, and of course had fun playing with, Jackson's favorite....the big giant beach ball. Hope you have a great birthday, Mom. We love you!

This is Jackson's favorite game to play with the big giant beach ball. Notice how he falls down every time...and that his timing isn't quite right :)

Happy Luke...just hanging out

There's something not quite right about this picture :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Strawberry Patch

Yesterday we made our annual trip to Elliott Farms Strawberry Patch just outside of Macon. It was hard to believe that durning last year's trip I was 9 months pregnant with sweet little Luke. We picked strawberries, chased the animals, had some strawberry ice cream and went on a hay ride. It was a very fun afternoon spent with some special friends. Here are some pics...

Sweet brothers...picking strawberries together :)

Our crew, left to right...Elcee, Mary Kate, Naomi, Luke, Jackson, Nathan, Catch

On the hay ride

Yearly pic of the boys in front of the tractor wheel

Last year's picture

Mabye we'll get lucky next year and get them to all look at the camera at once :)

Easter pics

Easter Celebration

On Wednesday we went to our church's annual Easter Egg Hunt/Party. The weather was gorgeous and our church did such a wonderful job preparing fun activities for the kids. Here are some pictures...

Planting a flower

Cookie decorating with friends, Catch and GainesEgg on a spoon relay race Listening to the Easter Story...I think this must have been the part when Jesus died (doesn't he look concerned?) On the hunt...

With his best buddies...Catch and Nathan

Luke 'hunting' eggs.

Eating at the picnic table with the big boys

Like mother like son...he spent most of the time visiting with the cat :)

Bridesmaids fun!

(wedding photos by PictureThis! Photography)

In the past week, I have gotten to see and visit with my Maid of Honor (who is now happily married :)) my Matron of Honor, and Bridesmaid from my wedding. Very weird that it worked out that way as they are not related or from the same town. Lori (former maid) was one of my best friends and roomates in college and now lives in Nashville. She and her husband, Ricky, stopped in Macon on their way down to The Masters. Beth (another former bridesmaid who lives in Macon with her hubby) and I had a great time catching up and reminiscing over old photos.

Looking over some hideous pictures from the college scrapbook

At Sunday brunch

Meredith (matron of honor) was my best friend in high school and currently lives in Maryland. She was down for a visit and to celebrate the big 3-0! The boys and I had a great time visiting with Meredith and her two boys...although 4 boys under the age of 4 was kind of crazy! We decorated train cupcakes, watched the random April snow showers, and had a great time running all over her new (and not yet furnished house).

Self-portrait because we couldn't teach a 3 year old how to use the camera.

I think we both must have rubbed vasoline all over our faces before this shot...

Decorating train cupcakes (poor Lukey shunned in the corner eating Cheerios)

Typical 3 year-old smile for the camera
Watching the snow...so weird!

Jackson entertaining himself with a plastic sleeve left over from Christmas ornaments

I mean, who needs toys when you have a cool piece of trash and a house without furniture to run through?


So great to see you friends!!! Now we just need to make sure we don't wait so long before we do it again :)

*Check out the post below if you haven't already*